Floods are one of Malaysia's most frequent natural hazards, driven by seasonal monsoons, intense rainfall, and rapid urban development. This page provides essential background context to help you understand the data presented in the dashboard.
Malaysia experiences floods almost every year, ranging from widespread monsoon floods in the East Coast to flash floods in highly urbanised areas. These events do not only affect physical structures, but also disrupt livelihoods, education, transportation, and local economies.
The combination of heavy rainfall, low-lying terrain, and growing development near rivers and coastal areas means that flood risk will continue to be a major concern for planners and communities. With extensive river systems, coastal regions, and rapid urban expansion in flood-prone zones, the country faces ongoing challenges in managing and mitigating flood risks.
Understanding the different types of floods helps identify patterns and prepare appropriate responses.
Occur during prolonged rainfall in the monsoon season, especially along the East Coast. These floods can last for days and affect large areas, including rural communities and agricultural land.
Short, intense rainfall combined with limited drainage capacity can cause sudden floods in urban centres such as Kuala Lumpur and other rapidly growing towns.
Flooding in Malaysia is driven by both natural and human factors. Understanding these causes is crucial for effective mitigation.
As urbanisation continues, more surfaces become paved and less water can infiltrate into the ground, leading to faster runoff and higher flood peaks during heavy rain events. This creates a compounding effect where natural drainage systems are overwhelmed, and existing infrastructure cannot handle the increased volume of surface water.
Floods create both immediate and long-term economic consequences that affect individuals, businesses, and the nation as a whole.
The financial impact extends beyond immediate repairs. Government spending on relief operations, emergency response, and reconstruction diverts resources from other development projects. Insurance claims increase premiums, and businesses face reduced revenue during recovery periods.
By quantifying these losses through the dashboard, decision makers can better understand which areas and sectors are most at risk and evaluate the benefits of investing in mitigation projects such as flood barriers, drainage improvements, or relocation of critical infrastructure. The visualization of economic impacts makes it easier to identify patterns, prioritize resources, and make data-driven decisions for flood risk management.
